1 Kings 20:25

And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, [and] surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

And number {H4487} thee an army {H2428}, like the army {H2428} that thou hast lost {H5307}, horse {H5483} for horse {H5483}, and chariot {H7393} for chariot {H7393}: and we will fight {H3898} against {H854} them in the plain {H4334}, and surely we shall be stronger {H2388} than they. And he hearkened {H8085} unto their voice {H6963}, and did so {H6213}.

Then recruit an army as big as the army you lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. We will attack them on level ground, and we will certainly be stronger than they." He heeded what they said and acted accordingly.

And you must raise an army like the one you have lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight the Israelites on the plain, where we will surely prevail.” And the king approved their plan and acted accordingly.

and number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

Commentary

Context

This verse follows a significant defeat for King Ben-hadad of Syria (Aram) at the hands of King Ahab of Israel, despite the Syrians having a vastly superior army. The Syrian advisors, attempting to rationalize their loss, concluded that Israel's God was a "God of the hills" (as stated in 1 Kings 20:23), implying He only had power in mountainous terrain. Verse 25 details their strategic advice to Ben-hadad: rebuild the army with the same strength ("horse for horse, and chariot for chariot") and engage Israel again, but this time on the flat, open "plain," convinced that this change of venue would guarantee their victory. Ben-hadad readily accepted this counsel.

Key Themes

  • Human Arrogance and Miscalculation: The Syrian advisors demonstrate profound hubris, attributing their previous defeat to geographical factors rather than divine intervention. They believed that by simply changing the battleground, they could outwit or circumvent God's power, an ultimate strategic miscalculation.
  • The Omnipresence and Sovereignty of God: Their limited theological view of God as confined to specific geographical areas ("God of the hills") is a central misunderstanding. This verse sets the stage for God to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over all creation, not just particular terrains.
  • Persistence in Rebellion: Ben-hadad's immediate agreement to this flawed counsel reveals his stubborn refusal to acknowledge God's hand in his defeat, choosing instead to rely on human logic and military might.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "plain" here is mishor (מִישׁוֹר), which denotes level, flat ground, often contrasting with mountainous or hilly regions. The Syrian advisors' reasoning was that Israel's previous victory was due to their God favoring battles in the hills, and therefore, a flat plain would nullify this perceived advantage, allowing their superior numbers to prevail.

Related Scriptures

This verse is crucial for understanding the setup for the second major conflict between Syria and Israel. The flawed reasoning of the Syrian advisors about God's power being restricted to hills is directly challenged and refuted by God Himself later in the narrative, as seen in 1 Kings 20:28, where a prophet declares God's sovereignty over both hills and plains. The subsequent battle, described in 1 Kings 20:26 onwards, serves as a powerful demonstration of God's limitless power.

Practical Application

This passage offers a timeless lesson: God is not bound by human limitations, circumstances, or geographical boundaries. We must be wary of human pride and flawed reasoning, especially when attempting to understand or overcome challenges. True strength and wisdom come from acknowledging God's omnipresence and relying on His power and guidance, rather than trusting solely in human strategy, resources, or a mistaken view of divine influence. It reminds us that God's power is not confined to specific situations or places but extends over all creation.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 10:3

    For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.
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